Luke 23:1-56 - We continue unpacking the creed's statement about the humanity of Jesus, this week turning to His passion (or suffering). The creed explains that Jesus "was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried," scaffolding our belief in the legal subjugation, multifaceted suffering, and genuine death that Jesus experienced "for us human beings and for our salvation." In this sermon we consider Luke's telling of these events and what they reveal about Jesus and His mission. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 9 of our series "The Nicene Creed: The Ancient Theology of the Triune God"]

Questions for reflection: 1) Why is the Nicene Creed so significant for Christians? What is its relationship to Scripture? 2) Jesus is questioned about His kingship or HIs reign. What does his elusive answer suggest? 3) How is the story of Jesus and Barabbas a picture of the kind of theological "substitution" that is part of the gospel? 4) What kinds of suffering did Jesus endure after his arrest? What kinds of suffering did He endure across His whole human life? 5) What is the relationship between the torn curtain in Luke 23:45 and Jesus's offer to the trusting thief on the cross? 6) Why do you think the authors of the creed wanted to emphasize the burial of Jesus? Why is it important to acknowledge?

"Crucified, Suffered, and Buried" in Joy and According to Plan

Luke 24:1-32 - The Nicene Creed reminds us that the resurrection of the Son of God is the centerpoint of both the Biblical story and God's plan for salvation. The whole Old Testament looks forward to it in anticipation. The whole New Testament looks back on it with exposition. In Luke 24 we are reminded of the challenge of the empty tomb, the surprising evidence from ancient doubts, and what ultimately gives us the eyes to see Jesus for who He really is as risen Lord and Savior. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 10 of our series "The Nicene Creed: The Ancient Theology of the Triune God"]

Questions for reflection: 1) Many characters in Luke 24 had been told by Jesus that He would die and rise again, but they all struggled to believe it after it happened. Why do you think that is? 2) How is the fact that a group of women were the first witnesses to the empty tomb an evidence for the truthfulness of the accounts of Jesus's resurrection? 3) What do we make of the fact that the Apostles are made to look foolish and faithless so much across the 4 gospels? 4) Jesus taught the two disciples on the road to Emmaus about the things concerning himself across the Old Testament. What stories, images, or prophecies in the Old Testament come to mind for you that concern Jesus? 5) How is the resurrection of Jesus evidence of both God's love AND God's power?

"Rose Again on the Third Day According to the Scriptures" (Easter 2025)

Acts 1:6-11 - The ascension of Jesus is an often-neglected event, but it helps us answer the question, "Where is Jesus right now and what is He doing?" In this sermon we consider the implications of the Nicene Creed's statement that Jesus "ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father" in fulfillment of Daneil's incredible prophecy about one like a "Son of Man" given a "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom." The ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God is not just esoteric theology, but it is an indispensable part of the good news that Jesus now rules as prophet, priest, and king. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 11 of our series "The Nicene Creed: The Ancient Theology of the Triune God"]

Questions for reflection: 1) What do you think the average non-Christian thinks Christians think Jesus is doing right now? What have you thought? 2) Why is the ascension an important doctrine for understanding the good news of Jesus? 3) What does it mean for Jesus to "sit at the right hand of the Father"? 4) Discuss Jesus as reigning king, interceding priest, and empowering prophet? 5) What does acknowledgement of Jesus's cosmic reign look like in your own life? What should it look like?

"Ascended and Sitting" as Reigning King, Interceding Priest, and Empowering Prophet

John 5:19-29 - In this message we look at the final section of the 2nd article of the creed, which says Jesus "shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose kingdom there shall be no end." The return and final judgment of Jesus are often considered scary or uncomfortable doctrines, but rightly understood, they give us confidence that truth, goodness, beauty, and justice will win out in the end. We are also told in Scripture that God desires that none should perish and so He gives all time to repent and turn to Him--His invitation to find oneself on the right side of His judgment is widely open to all who will take it. Jesus's judgment, in the end, is an indispensable part of His good news. A sermon by Pip Craighead. [Part 12 of our series "The Nicene Creed: The Ancient Theology of the Triune God"]

"Shall Come Again in Glory to Judge..." and the Ending that Changes Everything

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - The Shema in Deuteronomy 6 is one of the most important, load-bearing passages in the entire Bible. Its content and then application in the following verses has deep implications for all of life, especially for Christian parenting. In it we see that whatever we want to communicate to our children about God, we must first find that we know and love Him in our own hearts. Healthy, engaged, intentional Christian parenting flows out of a life of integrity beginning in the heart then out through our words and actions. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 2 of our series "Bearing the Image as Fathers & Mothers"]

First in Your Heart, Then to Your Children

Ephesians 6:1-4 - The biblical perspective on the value of children was a revolution in its ancient context, one we're still struggling to fully live into today. Paul's teaching in Ephesians 6 to parents is what flows out of a view of children as full image-bearers of God--full of dignity and value given by God Himself. In it, we are challenged to take seriously kids' personhood and feelings and to nourish them through our discipline and instruction, empowerment and nurture. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 3 of our series "Bearing the Image as Fathers and Mothers"]


Dignifying Our Children as Image Bearers

Luke 18:28-30 - Jesus and the Apostles had a radical vision for the burgeoning church community: a spiritual family or parents, siblings, and children to one another with Jesus at the head. Reclaiming this vision reminds us that we aren't meant to parent alone, but that it truly takes a village. The implications of truly pursuing this vision of life are powerful for parents, other adults, and children alike. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 4 of our series "Bearing the Image as Fathers and Mothers"]

It Takes a Village

Acts 2:1-4 - The third section of the Nicene Creed explores the person and work of the Holy Spirit. In this message we consider Genesis 1-2, John 16, and Acts 2 to see how the Bible reveals the Holy Spirit not as an impersonal force, but as God Himself--the third person of the trinity--who brings His people to new life. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 13 of our series "The Nicene Creed: The Ancient Theology of the Triune God"]


"The Holy Spirit, The Lord and Giver of Life"

John 15:26-27 - The brevity, mystery, and church-splitting importance of the phrase "Who proceeds from the Father" make it among the most difficult in the Creed to unpack. Debates over the eternal relations within God--especially the procession of the Spirit from the Father--led in part to the split of the single Christian church into the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in 1054 AD (the Protestant Reformation came later). But before we dismiss this debate as too obscure, we should fight to see the importance that the great Christian theologians of history have attached to it. It helps us understand the key distinctions within the trinity and ensures that we view the Holy Spirit, alongside the Father and the Son, as fully God and utterly worthy of our worship. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 14 of our series "The Nicene Creed: The Ancient Theology of the Triune God"]

The Spirit "Proceeds from the Father," So Let Us Worship

2 Peter 1:16-21 - The bishops who formulated the Creed wanted to make sure the authority and trustworthiness of Scripture was acknowledged, and what better way than to highlight Scripture as the vehicle of prophetic words from the Holy Spirit (another way of saying the Bible is the word of God)? And although the prophets, the Apostles, and Jesus Himself had an exceedingly high view of the Bible and its divine origin, they also readily acknowledged its thoroughly human origin. This is all the more evidence of the desire God has to work in, through, and alongside His image bearers to accomplish His purposes—even in the creation of his sacred texts! A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 15 of our series “The Nicene Creed: The Ancient Theology of the Triune God”]

"Who Has Spoken Through the Prophets" or the Spirit's Voice in Holy Scripture

Door of Hope Northeast is a simple church pursuing the risen Jesus in deep community in and for Portland, Oregon. This podcast collects our weekly teachings, key ministry updates, and other important news related to the life of our community.

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